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Council apprentice chosen to represent GB in Euro boxing championships

A 17 year old apprentice with Gateshead Council has found himself heading for the Balkans after being picked to represent Great Britain at a European boxing championship in Bulgaria.

Daniel Toward, an apprentice roadman, has hit the high road after being chosen to represent his country at the Youth European Boxing Championships in Sofia (2-11 September).

Dan, who has been boxing since the age of seven, learnt his craft at the Birtley Amateur Boxing Club and came to the attention of national selectors after winning a number of national championships.

He finally got his chance on the international stage in May when he was chosen to represent England at the Youth GB Three Nations championships, overcoming both the Scottish and the Welsh number ones with ease to win the 75kg title.

His success led to him being chosen to attend a GB training camp in Kiev where he could prepare for his biggest challenge to date in Bulgaria.

"We are genuinely excited to have one of our own representing Great Britain at such a major tournament" - Councillor Angela Douglas

"I'm really excited", says Daniel. "It's going to be a challenge but the training I've been doing in Ukraine was great and I feel ready."

His work colleagues at our Shearlegs Road depot are equally excited and say they will be watching his progress with interest.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, says: "I'm sure everyone at Gateshead Council will be getting behind Daniel and wishing him the best of luck. It's a fantastic achievement just to be picked for the Great Britain squad.

"Daniel is clearly a hard-working and committed young man, which is exactly the kind of ethos we like to see in our apprentices. I'm certain Daniel will go on to enjoy great success.

"We are genuinely excited to have one of our own representing Great Britain at such a major tournament and I'm sure everyone in Gateshead will be with him every step of the way."

A 17 year old apprentice with Gateshead Council has found himself heading for the Balkans after being picked to represent Great Britain at a European boxing championship in Bulgaria.

Daniel Toward, an apprentice roadman, has hit the high road after being chosen to represent his country at the Youth European Boxing Championships in Sofia (2-11 September).

Dan, who has been boxing since the age of seven, learnt his craft at the Birtley Amateur Boxing Club and came to the attention of national selectors after winning a number of national championships.

He finally got his chance on the international stage in May when he was chosen to represent England at the Youth GB Three Nations championships, overcoming both the Scottish and the Welsh number ones with ease to win the 75kg title.

His success led to him being chosen to attend a GB training camp in Kiev where he could prepare for his biggest challenge to date in Bulgaria.

"We are genuinely excited to have one of our own representing Great Britain at such a major tournament" - Councillor Angela Douglas

"I'm really excited", says Daniel. "It's going to be a challenge but the training I've been doing in Ukraine was great and I feel ready."

His work colleagues at our Shearlegs Road depot are equally excited and say they will be watching his progress with interest.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, says: "I'm sure everyone at Gateshead Council will be getting behind Daniel and wishing him the best of luck. It's a fantastic achievement just to be picked for the Great Britain squad.

"Daniel is clearly a hard-working and committed young man, which is exactly the kind of ethos we like to see in our apprentices. I'm certain Daniel will go on to enjoy great success.

"We are genuinely excited to have one of our own representing Great Britain at such a major tournament and I'm sure everyone in Gateshead will be with him every step of the way."